Missouri Launches First Police Academy At Lincoln University HBCU
by Derek Major

July 16, 2021

Missouri Launches First Police Academy At Lincoln University HBCU

Lincoln University Police Chief Gary Hill has launched the first police academy at an Historically Black College and University (HBCU).

Hill told KRCG-CBS he wanted to start an academy to increase the minority footprint in law enforcement agencies, but to have it happen at an HBCU was not part of the plan.

“We’re thinking they’re doing this all over the country, they’re not, we were the first,” Hill said.

According to Hill, the lack of inclusivity and the negative perception of police is why many law enforcement agencies struggle to gw]et or lose diverse candidates. Hill believed in his idea, but felt the Defund The Police movement last summer would keep those interested from coming.

However, 27 students applied to the Lincoln University academy according to Time Magazine. Of the 27 students, 14 were excluded due to financial or background check issues and another two dropped out due to personal reasons.

Lincoln’s academy teaches more than the traditional academy as well. Instead of the traditional military style training academics across the country teach, a significant portion of the training focuses on de-escalation tactics.

Jackson County Sheriff Darryl Forte said he was thrilled to learn about the academy at Lincoln University.

“It’s very significant,” Forte told the Kansas City Star. “I believe it is going to give law enforcement in this area a much broader pool of applicants, and I applaud whoever put this together. It is going to allow some minorities to pursue law enforcement who otherwise might not have. I hope that law enforcement leaders take advantage of it. I plan to recruit at Lincoln, I can tell you that.”

In Kansas City, Black cops make up less that 15% of the more than 1,360 officers in the city according to the Star. In New York City, which sports a population seven times larger than Kansas City, Black officers make up just over 15% of more than 30,000 NYPD patrol officers.

Jordan Chiles’ Mother, Gina Chiles, Gets Prison Sentence Delayed So She Can Attend Olympics
by Christian Spencer

July 16, 2021

Jordan Chiles’ Mother, Gina Chiles, Gets Prison Sentence Delayed So She Can Attend Olympics

Gymnast Jordan Chiles will represent TEAM USA at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with her mother Gina Chiles there to support her. Her mother was supposed to report to prison on July 27 for embezzlement.

Chiles misused and stole more than $1 million from her clients over four years, according to the sentencing documents.

Despite her 366-day prison sentence for wire fraud, the elder Chiles successfully had her request approved by the U.S. District Court in Oregon for a 30-day delay to allow her to support her daughter at the Olympic Games.

The delay means her official prison date starts on Aug. 26, CBS 42 Birmingham reported.

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Gina had a commercial properties management business called Inspire Vision Property Management L.L.C. Between 2014 and 2018, she “devised and intended to devise a material scheme to defraud clients of lnspire Vision and to obtain money and property by means of materially false and fraudulent pretenses, representations and promises,” according to multiple court filings by the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Federal court papers show three victims of Gina’s property scheme, including Karla Pearlstein, who lost $945,000 after renting the Victorian Belle Mansion in Portland as a wedding venue.

“[Gina] spent the bulk of her ill-gotten gains propping up her businesses; it was far from the only way she spent the money. She traveled extensively—she often dodged concerned calls from clients by claiming she was on the road—and spent at least $300,000 on personal expenses,” The OC Register reported.

“Those included expenditures of more than $53,000 at retail stores and personal service providers, $166,000 in investments in her children’s businesses, and nearly $40,000 in untraceable cash outlays.

Gina agreed to the plea agreement in March 2020 and was sentenced last November, the OC Register reported. Gina must also pay more than $1.2 million in restitution, according to court documents.

Originally, Gina could have faced up to 20 years in federal prison, but pleading guilty to one charge of wire fraud reduced her prison sentencing to a year or so.

The delay was made possible thanks to Gina’s attorneys, asking the court to “allow Mrs. Chiles to support her daughter throughout the Olympics and for some time beyond,” the filing reported on Tuesday. “This would give Mrs. Chiles’ daughter at least some additional time to have her mother’s emotional support and guidance during such a monumental time in her young life.”

 

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T-Pain Partners With Lipton Iced Tea For New Digital Series
by Daron Pressley

July 16, 2021

T-Pain Partners With Lipton Iced Tea For New Digital Series

Grammy Award-winning rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer T-Pain is determined to live life on his terms, in his way, and the result has been happiness. The music industry veteran has experienced his share of success throughout the years. T-Pain now understands success should come at his pace and on his terms.  

BLACK ENTERPRISE had the chance to talk with T-Pain about his growth within the music industry, an all-new Lipton Iced Tea campaign, and advice for artists pursuing a dream in the recording business.  

To show how sweet life can be when we take time for the ones we love, multi-award-winning hitmaker T-Pain has teamed up with Lipton Iced Tea to star in a digital content series called “Have Some Tea with Cousin T” as the titular character. 

“I like to think of this as a new-age Family Matters. It is about family and enjoying one another again. We have recently gone through a long period disconnected from family and friends. Lipton Iced Tea was a part of my life growing up in the South, and tea is synonymous with the South, so the connection makes sense, said Grammy-Award Winner T-Pain.”

The mini-episodic series follows Cousin T as he brings the tea and the laughs to his family while showcasing his different “personali-teas” alongside delicious Lipton Iced Tea offerings:

  • Southern Sweet Tea when he’s feeling helpful,
  • Georgia Peach Tea when he wants to turn up and
  • Green Tea when he needs to focus and tune in

Cousin T will also show the family how some of the tastiest summertime meals go best with their favorite Lipton Iced Teas, including BBQ ribs with Georgia Peach Tea. 

“The Lipton Iced Tea offerings are truly representative of who I am and the space I’m occupying creatively, professionally, and personally, says T-Pain. “I am doing everything organically. I’m not letting the numbers run my life. I’m not letting the status run my life. I’m just letting things happen and fall into place.” 

Community outreach has always been a priority for T-Pain, and we can expect the same in this campaign. In partnership with Pepsi Stronger Together, PepsiCo’s series of tailored community grassroots-based programs, Lipton and T-Pain will award six local restaurants with a $5,000 grant donation each, $30,000 in total, for restoration and support following last year’s hardships faced by the foodservice community. 

T-Pain states, “it is not about how much you are doing; life is truly about what you are doing with the time that you have. Make sure you are getting the rest you need both mentally and physically. When you are awake, do something meaningful and with purpose and passion.” 

Fans have two ways to enter for a chance to win: text GRILLWITHT to 99888. To learn more about the Lipton Iced T campaign and read the contest’s official rules, visit GrillWithT.com.

by Andrea Blackstone

July 16, 2021

Tyra Banks Launched SMiZE Cream Ice Cream Shop in Santa Monica

Apparently, enjoying high-calorie scoops of ice cream is not always off-limits for models.

Entrepreneur, model, and actress Tyra Banks is now the owner of the newly launched SMiZE Cream ice cream shop. The trendsetter, who is widely known for gracing the cover of a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue next to Valeria Mazza in 1996, and later hosting America’s Next Top Model, opened the doors of the business in Santa Monica, Califonia.

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SMiZE Cream is described as “a super-premium ice cream with an edible surprise in every cup, called the SMiZE SURPRiZE” which is “a fun & delicious discovery that appeals to the kid in all of us,” according to the ice cream’s website details. Playful flavors include The Best Vanilla I Ever Had, Brownies, I Love You, Chocolate Barbeque, Purple Cookie Mon-Star & Me, Salted Caramel King, Caramel Cookie Queen, and Strawberry BirthYAY!

Facebook – SMiZE Cream

If you are wondering what “SMiZE” means, the ice cream brand’s name incorporates Banks’ “signature modeling expression of “smiling with your eyes,” according to Variety. But there is more to SMiZE than smiling eyes and cool flavors that can help ice cream lovers beat the summer heat. DJ Splitz and Lil Y—which are animated characters “inspired by Banks’ mom and son” have been incorporated into SMiZE’s entertainment component, Variety reported.

“We’re going to do movies and cartoons,” Banks said in the interview. “We have a book proposal about DJ Splitz being the matriarch of the family and her grandson Lil Y who thinks he has magic, but he doesn’t. One day magic happens involving a factory and ice cream, and it changes the fate of their lives.”

And for those who do not live near SMiZE’s Los Angeles flagship shop, Banks has them covered. On July 1 via Facebook, Banks said that the ice cream could be shipped to their doors.

“TOMORROW NATIONWIDE ORDERING BEGINS 🍦 AND #SMiZECREAM AT @SANTAMONICAPLACE OPENS ITS DOORS TO OUR FIRST EVER ICE CREAM SHOP. 🎉 Smize Cream Ice Cream is a dream come true, y’all. Whether you’re in Portland or New York City or anywhere in between, you can get our ice cream shipped to your door! TOMORROW… SmizeCream.com is where you need to start clickin, so we can start shippin! 🍦💛,” Banks said.

Click here to visit SMiZE Cream’s website.

 

 

 

Black LA Couple Says Cops ‘Showed Up With Guns’ After Mother’s Home Birth
by Christian Spencer

July 16, 2021

Black LA Couple Says Cops ‘Showed Up With Guns’ After Mother’s Home Birth

A Black Los Angeles couple that had an emergency home delivery of their newborn were questioned by the doctors and the police.

Kayla Love gave birth to her daughter Fari Love Jones with some complications during the delivery process.  When paramedics came to her home, they determined the baby was healthy, but they took Love to the USC Medical Center examination, NBC 4 Los Angeles reported.

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Love stopped USC doctors’ from drawing her daughter’s blood, saying she wanted her private physician to examine her child.

“We said no. We prefer our child to be seen by a private physician. We don’t want your services, and we reserve the right to deny,” Love said.

Allegedly, Love’s refusal led doctors to be critical of her relationship with partner, Khari Jones, getting the LAPD to ask inquires about domestic abuse, and she was questioned whether or not she had hepatitis.

After the couple was discharged later that night, “between 10 and 15 officers came up in our home, pointing guns at me while I’m holding the baby! Over a Health and Wellness check, what they claim to be,” Jones told NBC Los Angeles.

The LAPD were called because the USC Medical Center said in a statement it is its duty to “investigate the safety of the home environment.”

“When there are concerns about the health and welfare of a minor, our medical staff have obligations to report such matters to appropriate social welfare authorities so they can investigate the safety of the home environment,” the statement read.

Jones was detained.

State Sen. Sydney Kamlager, whose 30th District is where this incident took place, wants answers just like the parents.

Kamlager is expecting a follow-up from the USC Medical Center and LAPD later this week.

“USC is in my District. I am expecting a call from them,” Kamlager said. “LAPD obviously serves my district. I am expecting a call from them.”

“This is predatory. They are just going for people they feel can be a victim. They didn’t know who they were dealing with. We are not letting this slide,” Love said.

‘Good Trouble’: Black Caucus Chair Joyce Beatty Arrested During Voting Rights Protest
by Derek Major

July 16, 2021

‘Good Trouble’: Black Caucus Chair Joyce Beatty Arrested During Voting Rights Protest

Congressional Black Caucus Chair Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) led a group of protesters fighting for voting rights in the Hart Senate Office Building Thursday, leading to her arrest.

Congresswoman Beatty, who has served Ohio since 2013, and her group were protesting to urge Congress to pass H.R. 1, the For the People Act, which would stop Republican-led states from passing restrictive voting laws and gerrymandering.

“We will not be turned around. We will keep walking. We will fight for freedom. We will fight for our right to vote!” Beatty tweeted Thursday afternoon with a photo of her marching arm-in-arm with fellow protesters.

The group stood in the lobby locked together, chanting “end the filibuster.”

Several minutes later, Beatty was handcuffed By Capitol Police and led off. Beatty said she was hoping to get arrested. Capitol Police said in a statement to The Hill, two men and seven women were arrested for the protest.

The fight for voting rights began after the 2020 Presidential Election. Former President Donald Trump, who desperately tried to hold on to power, made and repeated baseless lies and brought more than 50 lawsuits against the results. All but one of the lawsuits were dismissed or tossed.

Since then, Republican-led states have passed a slew of restrictive voting laws limiting drop ballots, absentee ballots, mail-in voting, and even limiting food and beverages for those waiting in line to vote. Additionally, a recent ruling by the conservative Supreme Court has weakened the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

After she was arrested, Beatty released a statement saying she stands “in solidarity with Black women and allies across the country in defense of our constitutional right to vote. We have come too far and fought too hard to see everything systematically dismantled and restricted by those who wish to silence us. Be assured that this is just the beginning.”

Black Americans have literally died for the right to vote and will not be willing to give them up easily. Last week, President Joe Biden met with civil rights leaders and organizations who have become increasingly frustrated with his lack of progress on voting rights and police reform, two promises Black Americans largely supported Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on.

Meet 107-Year-Old Edith Renfrow Smith: The First Black Woman to Graduate From Grinnell College in Iowa
by Andrea Blackstone

July 16, 2021

Meet 107-Year-Old Edith Renfrow Smith: The First Black Woman to Graduate From Grinnell College in Iowa

Edith Renfrow Smith—who turned 107 on July 14—is an undeniable trailblazer who refused to let adversity crush her dreams.

Smith was the first Black woman to graduate from Grinnell College in Iowa and was honored on campus with a dedication of the school’s Edith Renfrow Smith Black Women’s Library.

According to Grinnell College, the school also has the Smith Gallery, where “student art exhibits” are showcased. And if the educational institution has not previously landed on your radar, musician Herbie Hancock is another noted Grinnell College product who also has personal ties to Smith’s family.

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As a retired teacher in Chicago, Smith’s legacy is equally noteworthy, especially considering the challenges she endured.

Although “Edith’s grandfather, George Craig, was an escaped slave who later settled in Grinnell and worked as a barber,” education was a top priority in her parent’s household, according to Grinnell College’s report. All of Lee and Eva Renfrow’s six offspring attended college. Smith turned out to be “the first African American woman to graduate from Grinnell, with a major in psychology and minor in economics and history,” as stated in Grinnell College’s article.

Smith’s four-year presence at the college left her standing out as “the only Black student at Grinnell of either gender,” according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Upon graduating, securing employment was her next goal.

“They sent 12 students from Grinnell to see about getting a job,” she said in the interview. “In ’37, there were no jobs. Every one of us got a job; I got a job at the YWCA, which was at 4559 South Park, $75 a month. It was a good place; I took dictation from Professor Thurmond.”

Working for Chicago’s first Black alderman, Oscar DePriest, and becoming employed by the University of Chicago were among Smith’s other job stops, per the Chicago Sun-Times.

Smith developed tough skin early in life. Finding African American families who were located in Grinnell was rare when Renfrow Smith was growing up. According to Grinnell College’s interview, discrimination was pervasive, but Smith’s mother instilled important beliefs in her children.

“She was tough. She taught us there’s nobody born better than you. They may have more money, they may have more clothes, maybe they’re more beautiful, or live in a better house. But remember, no one, not even the president of the United States, is better than you,” Smith said.

Renfrow Smith’s grandparents were born in slavery, Chicago Sun-Times reported. But clearly, obstacles did not stop Smith. She went far while choosing to move past them.

TV Executive James DuBose on Building Fox Soul and Elevating Black Voices
by Von Boozier Twins

July 16, 2021

TV Executive James DuBose on Building Fox Soul and Elevating Black Voices

James DuBose is an American television producer, filmmaker, and entertainment industry executive. He currently serves as the head of programming and executive producer of Fox Soul, a new digital streaming service dedicated to the African American community.

DuBose’s success and good fortune have enabled him the freedom to create, enjoy, and share his unique brand of quality programming. BLACK ENTERPRISE sat down with the TV executive to chat about building Fox Soul and elevating Black voices.

BE: Tell us about Fox Soul and the inspiration behind creating the streaming digital television network?

DuBose: Fox Soul is Fox’s first live and interactive OTT (over-the-top media) service dedicated to the Black community. The inspiration was to build a platform that truly allows the voices of the culture to be heard in its rawest, unfiltered form. The main issue I have seen within this space is Black people never really had a voice or seat at the table. Fox owns and funds Fox Soul, but there are Black minds making the decisions from top to bottom regarding Fox Soul and our culture, and I am inspired by this fact on a daily basis.

As the head of programming, how important is it to develop content that not only tells our stories but impacts the Black community and culture?

Everyone has a voice and a story. I believe the community is better served when those voices and stories can be heard and appreciated beyond the privacy of our homes. Our purpose for existing is to provide that platform. It’s very important that we develop content that entertains, educates, and inspires. We must continue to showcase all the great attributes that we have as a culture. We aim to celebrate our rhythms and our blues through our content.

What were some challenges faced during the pandemic with ensuring the network’s ability to continue producing content that would inspire, uplift, and keep viewers entertained?

First, the pandemic was very difficult for so many in many different ways, and my prayers are for everyone to bounce back better and stronger than before. Now, we were operating out of our studio prior to the pandemic and were forced to shut down for about two weeks. The team spent that time brainstorming on how to continue to grow the network, as we were only a few months into Fox Soul at that point. The technology allowed us to produce the shows from home via Zoom; it actually allowed us to expand our reach and footprint during this time. Our guests didn’t have to be in Los Angeles in order to be on the shows any longer. This allowed us to have the guests we really wanted and needed no matter where they were in the world. The viewers could still interact in real-time with our hosts and shows as we continue to stay true to our mission of being live and interactive where you hear and see our voices and our truth. Moving forward, we will probably operate in some sort of hybrid of studio and in a virtual setting.

Fox Soul has attracted and features quite the celebrity host lineup. Can we expect any shows and content from some emerging talent and creators?

We are always looking for talent, established or emerging, that brings a real voice and perspective to the network. I have tried to shorten the traditional greenlight process that so many Black creators find difficult when it comes to getting their work produced. We are very blessed in the fact that agents, creators, etc., are looking at Fox Soul as a viable destination for content creators. As we continue to build and grow, we are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to finding the right talent and stories that speak to the culture.

What content can viewers expect for the upcoming season?

We are developing our first music competition show now. We are getting into the crime space, the travel and lifestyle space. We are also continuing to do strategic content partnerships with other Black outlets similar to what we have now with Black Enterprise. We want to have something for everyone in the household for this upcoming season.

For more information and programming, visit foxsoul.tv to be a part of the experience. Original programming airs weeknights, starting at 7 p.m. EST.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

July 16, 2021

Sha’Carri Richardson Signs On For The Prefontaine Classic After Suspension Ends

Sha’Carri Richardson is determined to continue her athletic career following her recent suspension for testing positive for marijuana.

After completing her one-month suspension, Richardson is set to compete in the 100 and 200-meter races at the Diamond League Prefontaine Classic taking place in August, Reuters reports.

“I’m looking forward to running fast and putting on a show,” Richardson said ahead of the competition.

Richardson’s addition to the Diamond League meet isn’t too much of a surprise considering that it’s sponsored by Nike, who also sponsors her, Sports Illustrated reports. The company announced its intention to continue endorsing Richardson following her suspension from Team USA.

Medalists from the Tokyo Olympics will likely fill out the other slots in the meet. This will allow spectators to see how Richardson would have stacked up against them at the global championship.

Richardson was considered one of the fiercest competitors to represent Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics when she had her opportunity snatched away after marijuana showed up in her system. The 21-year-old won the women’s 100 meters with 10.86 seconds at the U.S. Olympic for track and field in Oregon in June.

The Dallas native became a nationwide trending topic, with many in the Black community coming to her defense amid heightened public scrutiny over her marijuana use.

She owned up to her marijuana use and credited it to the recent passing of her biological mother.

“I want to take responsibility for my actions,” Richardson said during an appearance on Today. “I know what I did. I know what I’m supposed to do. I know what I’m allowed not to do, and I still made that decision.”

Richardson’s suspension ends on July 28, but she was not selected by USA Track and Field to compete at the women’s 4x100m relay, starting on Aug. 5, Oregon Live reports.

Aren’t They Cute!: Nick Cannon And Abby De La Rosa Cuddle Up With Newborn Twins
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

July 16, 2021

Aren’t They Cute!: Nick Cannon And Abby De La Rosa Cuddle Up With Newborn Twins

Nick Cannon is a proud father of his growing tribe of children. The Wild N Out creator recently posed alongside DJ Abby De La Rosa and their one-month-old twin boys for the family’s Instagram debut.

Cannon smiled from ear to ear while holding his one-month-old twins Zillion and Zion with his ex Abby. The adorable family photoshoot came just three weeks after Cannon welcomed his seventh baby with another woman, The Sun reports.

On Thursday, Abby shared a photo slide that included three photos of her and Cannon embracing their infant babies. “One month old Zion and Zillion Cannon,” she captioned the post.

 

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Cannon and Abby welcomed twins Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir on June 14. The LA-based DJ announced her pregnancy on Instagram without announcing who the father was.

“Our dearest sons – my miracle babies, Thank you for choosing me to be your Mommy,” she captioned the post. “I pray that God gives you both the strength to walk brave and boldly in your individual truth just like your Daddy. That God bless you and your brother and guide you into living out your full purpose.”

But it didn’t take fans too long to start digging and looking for clues on who the father could be. Now, Cannon has two sets of twins after first welcoming his 10-year-old twins, son Moroccan and daughter Monroe, with ex-wife Mariah Carey.

Late last month, Cannon and model Alyssa Scott welcomed a son named Zen Cannon. Back in December, the Masked Singer host welcomed daughter, Powerful Queen, with Brittany Bell, with whom he also shares 4-year-old son Golden “Sagon.”

During a recent interview with the City Girls, Cannon revealed that he is having so many children with different women on purpose, as noted by the Independent.

“Trust me there’s a lot of people that I could’ve gotten pregnant that I didn’t,” Cannon said. “The ones that got pregnant are the ones that were supposed to get pregnant.”

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